Eve de Castro-Robinson. The Gristle of Knuckles. Rattle CD.
In its own unconventional way, this is a knockout release from the Kiwi label. You are warned by title and pictures of bare knuckles, and New Zealand composer Eve de Castro-Robinson explains in the very interesting booklet how in a ``sideways manoeuvre'' she was attracted to the idea of a collaborative album of ``reimagined versions'' of her own music. The scheme is discussed further by her former pupil (and now a leading young composer) Alex Taylor, plus there are written notes for each of the 10 tracks by de Castro-Robinson and a performer.
Nathan Haines on flutes opens with his version of ``dynamic devilry'' in Doggerel; Ron Samson and Kingsley Melhuish present their version of ConunDRUMs; Don McGlashan provides the vocals and instrumental sounds for The Long Dream of Waking (Len Lye's words); Delaney Davidson presents the vocals and instruments for Trouble, Trouble Mind; Mere Boynton, with song and even sounds from crystal glass, tackles Hau, written by de Castro-Robinson in memory of Karlheinz Stockhausen and Mahinarangi Tocker; Small Blue is performed by Kevin Field (piano) and Ron Samson (cajon drum); Field (piano) provides the ``chromatic cocktail'' of Passion Flower; and Callum Passells (saxophone) is soloist for Countercurrents.
Last, but by no means least, Ashley Brown, well-known cellist, gives a ``mesmerising performance'' in Stumbling Trains. Then the final punch at the end is Key Rings, starring de Castro-Robinson on toy piano, kalimba, chiming toy and music box, and Steve Garden on chiming toy. Garden also mixed and mastered the sound with his usual flair.
Verdict: Interesting rearrangements with different styles and punch.
